After 4 years of gracing the stage of Southampton’s London Hotel, Andrew Starks, aka Pat Cruise and Dolly Partem, has decided to hang up his wig for pastures new. Andrew, who is better known in Brighton as one half of Charles Street regulars Trashville Tennessee and as the writer of the rip roaring alternative panto, regularly entertained crowds at the London Hotel with Karaoke Cruising on Thursday, under the guise of cruise ship diva Pat Cruise, and on a Sunday as the glam Dolly Partem, whose Sunday Service hosted many of the country’s top cabaret talent.
Andrew said:
“As you know, I don’t really use Facebook to tell you when I’m having a cuppa tea, what my opinion of the latest X Factor contestant is or the shocking price of eggs but, I’m hanging up the drag heels for the foreseeable future. Yes friends, I shall be packing Pat & Dolly away in an airtight container in the garage!
“I have had an amazing time and met and worked with some amazing people, all of whom have taught me many things, and I thank you all.
“It’s now time for another path, a new direction, another challenge and adventure… and I couldn’t be more excited!
“Huge thanks to David and Ray at the London Hotel for the most amazing years of work I’ve ever had! It’s been an honour to perform at the London (still the best out of town cabaret venue I know). They are more than the £17.50 a week employers, they are my friends.
“The people, friends and audience there are simply sublime, What started out with a handful of glorious bears turned into what we have today. I thank you for the weeks you’ve come along and shown support, joined in and raised the roof, it will remain forever, so thank you.”
Following the announcement, Andrew’s friends, colleagues and fans have wished him well for the future, starting with David Riley and Raymond Cole, owners of The London Hotel:
“Mr Stark, you do not need luck for your future, as you are very talented, but you deserve every success in whatever you do.
“Ray and I will miss you each and every week performing but look forward to catching up socially on a regular basis. It’s been an amazing time for us and Pat and Dolly are going to get the best send off x”
Scott Burey aka Drag With No Name, added:
“You have an immense amount of talent and creativity, and I’m sure it won’t go to waste in whatever journey you decide to take.
“Thank you for the many laughs and wishing you every happiness and fulfilment on that exciting open road ahead of you x”
Stephen Richards aka Lola Lasagne, continued:
“Personally, I think you’re very selfish leaving to go and do something to benefit your life and happiness. As I sit behind that £1.99 curtain on a Sunday on the chair with the splinters I shall be cursing you whilst sticking pins in your voodoo doll.
“Seriously though I wish you every success for the future. Sundays will never be the same and neither will the cabaret scene. I’m at the London this Friday, so hope you’ll be able to pop your head round the door for a farewell drink.”
Martin Christopher Andrew, a regular at the London concluded saying:
“I am sad that it is the end of an era, but even more excited about what you will get up to next.
“I have seen you go from strength to strength over the last few years and you have never been afraid to take on new challenges.
“So as you head towards your next adventure I wish you the very best of luck, and say thank you for making so many people happy over the last few years.
“I can’t wait to give Dolly and Pat the proper send off they deserve and enjoy at least one more rendition of ‘I Want That Bear’ – something that has become a life motto for me!”
Pats last appearances in Southampton were at the Pink Ball Fundraiser at the Grand Harbour Hotel on Saturday October 5 where she helped the organisers raise £11,000 to be shared between the The Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity and Ben Cohen’s Stand-up Foundation followed by a final extra special Sunday Service at the London Hotel on October 6 where she was joined by cabaret entertainers Drag with no name and DJ Lucinda Lashes.
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